So, any football fans here? My favourite club is Feyenoord (Holland). They peform bad last years (financial problems). Also I follow the English and Spanish competition and several other European ones (Italy, Germany; Belgium, France a bit).

l.Harm wrote:So, any football fans here? My favourite club is Feyenoord (Holland). They peform bad last years (financial problems). Also I follow the English and Spanish competition and several other European ones (Italy, Germany; Belgium, France a bit).

My club (Feyenoord) sold Fer today for +5 million euro's. He had only 1 year contract so it's a pretty good deal. It's gonna be a hard season for us now, but we need the money

been wanting a soccer thread for a while, a lot of people just hate on it here tho. I understand it has corruption and some people will just come in and belittle it because they don't understand it , but hopefully this thread can be about appreciating the sport, discussing results and news and that's it.

feyenoord having one of the best starts in a few years. Hopefully they can stick with it through-out the season. My father is/was a big fan.

The Father of Clean Cycling, Christophe Bassons wrote:When I look at cycling today, I get the impression that history is repeating itself: riders who are supposed to be rouleurs are climbing passes at the front of the race, and those who are supposed to be climbers are riding time trials at more than 50 kilometres per hour.

Timmy-loves-Rabo wrote:been wanting a soccer thread for a while, a lot of people just hate on it here tho. I understand it has corruption and some people will just come in and belittle it because they don't understand it , but hopefully this thread can be about appreciating the sport, discussing results and news and that's it.

feyenoord having one of the best starts in a few years. Hopefully they can stick with it through-out the season. My father is/was a big fan.

Fer was a pretty big loss tho, been playing well.

Anyway PSV fan.

Another football fan. Unfortunately i am a Southampton support. after a few lean years they are starting to win again and heading back towards the premiership

I saw that thread wasn't really succesfull so I thought maybe a new start would help.

But someone decided to post there a couple of minutes after I started this one

@Timmy, yeah, we won't relegate though But competing for the title will take a couple of years.

@The Hitch, that's personal. I'm playing football myself and have seen many, many games. And if you see how much players (even those who're getting paid a lot) are arguing with the ball, then this is really art. Barcelona make it look so simple, but it's really top class what they're doing. So for me it's justified to call it art.

@dave, at Southampton worked some Dutchies? Mark Wotte is an idiot. He worked also for Feyenoord and only bought bad players lol.

l.Harm wrote:That's personal. I'm playing football myself and have seen many, many games. And if you see how much players (even those who're getting paid a lot) are arguing with the ball, then this is really art. Barcelona make it look so simple, but it's really top class what they're doing. So for me it's justified to call it art.

I play football too, likely more than you, and spent my entire childhood obsessed with football.

So you dont need to tell me why some people think its special. Me, I would never compare people kicking a ball, or even doing 50 backflips or whatever, to real art (going with the flow of the thread)

Also that video isnt even that great. I think at most they get 4 one touch passes together, most of the time its interrupted by someone dwelling on the ball, and only 2 end in a goal. Most its just in the middle of the field and eventually goes back to the defender.

The Father of Clean Cycling, Christophe Bassons wrote:When I look at cycling today, I get the impression that history is repeating itself: riders who are supposed to be rouleurs are climbing passes at the front of the race, and those who are supposed to be climbers are riding time trials at more than 50 kilometres per hour.

l.Harm wrote:I saw that thread wasn't really succesfull so I thought maybe a new start would help.

But someone decided to post there a couple of minutes after I started this one

@Timmy, yeah, we won't relegate though But competing for the title will take a couple of years.

@The Hitch, that's personal. I'm playing football myself and have seen many, many games. And if you see how much players (even those who're getting paid a lot) are arguing with the ball, then this is really art. Barcelona make it look so simple, but it's really top class what they're doing. So for me it's justified to call it art.

@dave, at Southampton worked some Dutchies? Mark Wotte is an idiot. He worked also for Feyenoord and only bought bad players lol.

yeah Wotte (with some help from Jan Poortvliet before him) pretty much took us to our lowest point. 3rd division and -10 points. then a new buyer and a slow climb back. not massive fans of the dutch coach now. Love them in Australia though

The Hitch wrote:I play football too, likely more than you, and spent my entire childhood obsessed with football.

So you dont need to tell me why some people think its special. Me, I would never compare people kicking a ball, or even doing 50 backflips or whatever, to real art (going with the flow of the thread)

Also that video isnt even that great. I think at most they get 4 one touch passes together, most of the time its interrupted by someone dwelling on the ball, and only 2 end in a goal. Most its just in the middle of the field and eventually goes back to the defender.

Likely? Maybe I was pretty obsessed too. From my 6th I'm playing at least three times a week at the club without interruption. And till my 11th/12th (I guess) I played almost the whole day (after school of course) outside with friends. But of course I couldn't know your experience with football.

And after I read your post I couldn't ignore your location Real Madrid fan? That video was the first I could find about their passing play. I've seen a lot of matches and it's the best play I've ever seen in my life (I'm 20 now). But art is just a definition and I think in football Barcelona approaches art the best.

daveinzambia wrote:yeah Wotte (with some help from Jan Poortvliet before him) pretty much took us to our lowest point. 3rd division and -10 points. then a new buyer and a slow climb back. not massive fans of the dutch coach now. Love them in Australia though

Yeah, Wotte was kind of manager when Poortvliet was coach wasn't it? Poortvliet was angry Wotte took his job. In a Dutch tabloid he showed his anger.

But Southampton is a nice club and I hope they'll get back to a decent level.

l.Harm wrote:And after I read your post I couldn't ignore your location Real Madrid fan? That video was the first I could find about their passing play. I've seen a lot of matches and it's the best play I've ever seen in my life (I'm 20 now). But art is just a definition and I think in football Barcelona approaches art the best.

Im currently in Madrid. Doesnt mean Im Spanish, and I certainly hate Real and narcisinho and casillias way more than i hate barca.

The Father of Clean Cycling, Christophe Bassons wrote:When I look at cycling today, I get the impression that history is repeating itself: riders who are supposed to be rouleurs are climbing passes at the front of the race, and those who are supposed to be climbers are riding time trials at more than 50 kilometres per hour.

The Hitch wrote:And personally i save the word art for much higher and more awe-inspiring creations.

I'm sure that you've played more than I have too, but if you fail to accept that the football Barca has played over the last 2-3 years deserves to be labeled as (football) 'art', then you're either a closet Real fan, or your understanding of the game is rather less than your understanding of cycling.

The football that Barca has shared with the world in recent seasons is as close to perfection as we're ever going to see on a football pitch. It is the glorious pinnacle of Cruijff's football vision put into practice by a brilliant team and a brilliant trainer. I have followed Barca since the early 90's and I can tell you that this team now is, without any doubt, the absolute mutt's nuts.

As my avatar makes clear, I support West Ham for my sins. I have been a Hammer since 1968, and also an Ajax fan since I moved here in 1989. So, the three teams I follow play very different football at very different levels of achievement. West Ham has the largest part in my heart, but Ajax are my local team. Watching Barca (and mainly Messi) over the last 2-3 seasons has given me more mini-orgasms of joy than I have ever previously had while watching the game, so yes, for me this Barca team is football art, football poetry in motion. I am aware that the worldwide adoration of Barca doesn't go down too well in Madrid, though.

edit -

The Hitch wrote:Im currently in Madrid. Doesnt mean Im Spanish, and I certainly hate Real and narcisinho and casillias way more than i hate barca.

Actually I think Casillas (why cassillias ) is the best goalkeeper in the world and he really has incredible saves. This one I'll always remember.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tehp2KrAkqUI watched this game and I counted it as a goal already.

And narcisinho=Ronaldo? I don't like him too. I really love to see Özil playing and Ronaldo annoys me. Just shooting from 40m totally off target and when he hits one free kick out of 10 he's worlds best footballer

@Amsterhammer.

Actually Ajax and Barca try to play the sime kind of football, but I think you know that Different level of course. West Ham is really different of course, English way of playing football. Saw them last year at Craven Cottage (Fulham) where West Ham won.

Amsterhammer wrote:As my avatar makes clear, I support West Ham for my sins. I have been a Hammer since 1968,

Im guessing that means you were born in 1968:p

Watching Barca (and mainly Messi) over the last 2-3 seasons has given me more mini-orgasms of joy than I have ever previously had while watching the game, so yes, for me this Barca team is football art, football poetry in motion. I am aware that the worldwide adoration of Barca doesn't go down too well in Madrid, though.

Barca can be fun to watch, especially when they play teams i dislike more like Real and Arsenal, though i dont watch them go on their average weekly destructions of La Liga teams.

They are probably the best team ever yes though I do think in the premier league they wouldnt be nearly as dominant, as in Spain playing on the ground is the main feature, whereas in England Messi, iniesta, pedro, xavi, alvez, all the size of Purito Rodriguez, however much hgh and nandroline they have in them, will find difficulties in having the likes of Terry or Samba or Vidic smashing into them week in week out.

Actually I think Casillas (why cassillias ) is the best goalkeeper in the world and he really has incredible saves. This one I'll always remember.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tehp2KrAkqUI watched this game and I counted it as a goal already.

And narcisinho=Ronaldo? I don't like him too. I really love to see Özil playing and Ronaldo annoys me. Just shooting from 40m totally off target and when he hits one free kick out of 10 he's worlds best footballer

@Amsterhammer.

Actually Ajax and Barca try to play the sime kind of football, but I think you know that. Different level of course. West Ham is really different of course, English way of playing football. Saw them last year at Craven Cottage (Fulham) where West Ham won.

Narcisinho = Mourinho;)

I mean come on, no one not even Ronaldo comes close to the blind arrogance of a guy who walks into an interview room and says "Im special". Who wants to be called a genius for "mind games" so "intelligent" (eg saying the ref is bribed, how utter genius no one ever thought of that probably:rolleyes:)

Who pokes someone in the eye then thinks its clever to mock the person saying he doesnt know who that person is.

Such a person should be out on the street, screaming his stupidities to the world making money in a paper cup.

As for me Im Polish born and raised in London and in Madrid for a month.

The Father of Clean Cycling, Christophe Bassons wrote:When I look at cycling today, I get the impression that history is repeating itself: riders who are supposed to be rouleurs are climbing passes at the front of the race, and those who are supposed to be climbers are riding time trials at more than 50 kilometres per hour.

Don't know what would lead you to that guess, but you'd be wrong. That's when I started regularly going to Upton Park (or, more correctly, the Boleyn Ground).

The Hitch wrote:Barca....are probably the best team ever yes though I do think in the premier league they wouldnt be nearly as dominant.....

Agree on both counts.

The Hitch wrote:Narcisinho = Mourinho;)

I mean come on, no one not even Ronaldo comes close to the blind arrogance of a guy who walks into an interview room and says "Im special". Who wants to be called a genius for "mind games" so "intelligent" (eg saying the ref is bribed, how utter genius no one ever thought of that probably:rolleyes:)

Who pokes someone in the eye then thinks its clever to mock the person saying he doesnt know who that person is.

Such a person should be out on the street, screaming his stupidities to the world making money in a paper cup.

Totally agree about this arrogant prick. It's incredible that he has not (yet, at least) faced any sanctions for his outrageous recent behavior.

l.Harm wrote:In the Champions League they have beaten Arsenal and Manchester United several times in an impressive way. They just made fun of Vidic and Ferdinand.

And how could I miss Mourinho Was only thinking of players.

Yes but the point is theyd be doing it week in week out.

If every week they had to face big defenders who get a huge cheer every-time they clatter into a player, it would be tougher for them.

Theres the weather factor too. Wet cold windy slippery, muddy.

Barca are known for diving at the slightest touch whereas in England pure physicality is always cheered.

Obviously the amateur scene is different from the Proffesional one but me, when i play in England everyone is always throwing elbows, kicking you in the shins, smashing into you, and when someone gets hurt they are told to get up. Long balls and fighting for headers in the middle of the park are the key.

When i play in Spain and you shoulder someone they immediately get a foul. If you have the ball you never launch it mindlessly up field, but find a pass.

And of course amateurs base their games totaly around what they see on tv.

The Father of Clean Cycling, Christophe Bassons wrote:When I look at cycling today, I get the impression that history is repeating itself: riders who are supposed to be rouleurs are climbing passes at the front of the race, and those who are supposed to be climbers are riding time trials at more than 50 kilometres per hour.

The Father of Clean Cycling, Christophe Bassons wrote:When I look at cycling today, I get the impression that history is repeating itself: riders who are supposed to be rouleurs are climbing passes at the front of the race, and those who are supposed to be climbers are riding time trials at more than 50 kilometres per hour.